Philippine Biodiversity Symposium in Cebu

Allow us to give way to these updates from our scholar friend, Dr. Lawrence Liao of  the Graduate School of  Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences of Hiroshima University and the invitation to all, to attend the April 1-14 Philippine Biodiversity Symposium at the University of San Carlos in Cebu.

Dr. Liao informed us that "the Philippines-Singapore Marine Science Colloquium was held last February 24-25 at Holy Name University (HNU) in Tagbilaran. The event was borne out of the need for increased interactions among scientists in the ASEAN region, but specifically between Singapore and the Philippines. Bohol was chosen to host the event because the marine biodiversity around Bohol is proving to be one of the richest in the archipelago. This discovery was initially made by scientists from Singapore in the early 2000, and which led to the launching of the huge Panglao Expedition in 2003 and 2004. It was the coming of age of Bohol in the global marine biodiversity arena so to speak. Up to this day, new discoveries and new species of marine biota are still reported without any hints of when this will end."

According to Dr. Liao, "the conference was specifically targeted to stimulate more interests (for collaboration and info sharing) among marine scientists of both countries as well as the general public in Bohol of this vast richness at the doorsteps of Bohol." 

"Professor Chou Loke-Ming, an international specialist of coral reef ecology came to deliver his talk on the status of coral reefs and associated threats around Southeast Asia.  About 40 people from both sides attended and presented researches particularly dwelling on coral reefs and how environmental changes have affected them.  Both countries share the same environmental challenges so it was a good time to learn from one another.

The conference was capped by a two-day diving tour of Balicasag where both Singaporeans and Filipinos marveled at the beautiful underwater gems there."

Dr. Liao wrote that he thinks "one of the most important consequences of the conference (first time HNU hosted an international event) was affording an opportunity for students there, some members of the general public as well as politicians to listen to relevant research presentations that can impact on local conditions."

For those interested to learn more about our biodiversity, Dr. Liao is inviting everyone to the 23rd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium which will be held at the University of San Carlos on April 1-4. Expected to attend are biodiversity scientists, conservation biologists, students and researchers from all over the Philippines and abroad.

The annual conference will be co-organized jointly for the first time by the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines (WCSP) and the Association of  Systematic Biologists of the Philippines (ASBP), with the timely theme "Forging Partnerships for Understanding and Conserving Philippine Biodiversity."  Symposium activities will include an institutional fair where organizations involved in biodiversity research and conservation can present posters, as well as plenary addresses, concurrent mini-symposia and/or workshops, and contributed oral and poster presentations including special sessions for high school and undergraduate students.

Two of the leading spokespersons on biodiversity and wildlife conservation, Dr. Thomas M. Brooks, head of the Science and Knowledge Unit of  the  International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Switzerland will speak on new global efforts towards knowledge generation and capacity building for policy making and conservation action and Dr. Brooks will facilitate, side by side with Filipino colleagues, a workshop assessing new proposed standards used for identifying Key Biodiversity Areas and how these might apply for the Philippine situation.

Dr. Peter K.L. Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, both at the National University of  Singapore will speak on the role of regional partnerships in the documentation of the rich biodiversity in Southeast  Asia, with examples drawn from the recent marine expeditions he helped organize in the seas around Bohol that reaffirmed the global position of  the Philippines as the hottest of the world's marine biodiversity hotspots. A world renowned carcinologist, Dr. Ng and his international colleagues have been reporting many discoveries of new species from the Philippines to this day.

Dr. Liao adds that the choice of Cebu City as conference venue this year is timely.  "Dubbed as having 'zero forest cover' by the international media, the island of Cebu hosts a number of endemic and critically endangered species in its remaining, highly fragmented forest patches left untouched due to their treacherous topography. Among these are bird species like the Cebu black shama, locally known as 'siloy' and the Cebu flowerpecker, reputedly one of the most critically threatened birds in the world with a population of less than 100 individuals. Cebu province is home to the Olango wildlife sanctuary which hosts the largest concentration of migratory birds and is the first wetland of international importance (Ramsar Convention) in the Philippines.  Today, many NGOs and government entities are joining hands to save whatever remaining species and habitats there are around the province and the country.  ( email at [email protected] )

Most of these organizations will be represented at the Philippine Biodiversity Symposium. Please contact [email protected] or access www.philippinebiodiversitysymposium.wordpress.com for futher inquiries."

( email at [email protected] )